OverviewRoan High Bluff is an amazing mountain that offers grand views of the surrounding area. There is an observation deck just below the summit. The trail to the summit winds through balsam forests and rhododendron thickets. The summit itself is a rock outcropping just above the observation deck. There are sheer cliffs that descend into the valley below. Tred lightly.
This is a relatively popular hike because of its proximity to the carpark. It can be particularly busy in late May to late June when the rhododendrons are in blume.
Getting ThereGetting There:
From the town of Roan Mountain, Tennessee take TN 143 past Roan Mountain State Park up to Carvers Gap. From Carvers Gap, take the Appalachian Trail south 2.3 miles to Cloudland Mtn. Climb to the summit of Cloudland Mtn. & then descend down toward the road. Find parking lot #1 and the Cloudland Trail at the far end of the carpark. Follow the Cloudland Trail for about 1.5 miles. About eight meters from the observation deck veer off of the trail and locate the rock scramble that leads to the summit. The summit is marked by a USGS marker on the rocky summit.
When To ClimbThe Mountain is accessable almost all year long with the exception being during periods of heavy snow. The rhododendrons blume from late May until about the end of June. Late may also brings an abundance of wildflowers to the area. Summers here can be hot, humid & crowded.
CampingThere is pay camping available at Roan Mounatin State Park at the base of the mountain (Tennessee side)
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